JP Pietersen was in outstanding form for the Sharks and Springboks before getting injured, but he doesn’t believe he’s reached his peak.

A thumb injury obtained in the Super Rugby final ruled him out of the majority of the Boks’ Rugby Championship campaign. He’d had a brilliant series against England and sizzled in Super Rugby with his block-busting breaks, aggressive smother-tackling and timely tries.

‘It had been an amazing year for me before the thumb injury; I could not have asked for better form,’ he says. ‘Everything was falling into place. My body was feeling amazing and I had learned a lot this season, too.’

Pietersen says he has matured since the 2007 World Cup and now appreciates the value of experience.

‘Look, I’m only 26, I’m hardly saying I know it all, but I’ve been around since I was 19 and while I know that I made mistakes in the past that I won’t repeat in the future, I also like to think that I’m not the complete product. I feel there’s a lot more to come from JP Pietersen. I can get better, I know I can.’

Also in the NEW-LOOK issue:

– Super Rugby review: We rate all five South African franchises

– The Springboks were spoiled by the brilliance of Fourie du Preez at scrumhalf. Now, with Du Preez having moved on, Heyneke Meyer is searching for his perfect ‘general’

– Dan Carter is refreshed, reinvigorated and refocused as he eyes new goals in the game

– Quade Cooper would rather be great than loved

– Juan Martin Fernández Lobbe has embraced the challenge of captaining Argentina in their debut Rugby Championship season

– A resurgent Zimbabwe hope to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1991

– The European Cup could go up in smoke if English and French clubs withdraw from the tournament

– The Sharks were rewarded for their positive approach to the game during this year’s Super Rugby tournament

– Player movement is a reality in the professional era but contrary to perception Western Province have managed to retain the majority of their stars, as manager director Rob Wagner explains

– The Lions had a disastrous Super Rugby campaign, on and off the field. SA Rugby magazine reveals how things fell apart

– The Blue Bulls dominated the U18 Craven Week in Port Elizabeth

– Joost van der Westhuizen has refused to give up hope after being diagnosed with an incurable disease